Improvement in canceling-stamps



H. A. COATS. Canceling-Stamp.

No. 199,185. Patented Jan. I5, 1878..,

WITNESSES ATTORNEYS.

NJEI'ERS. FHOTO-LITHOGRAPHER wAsmNGToN 0 C UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFIGE.

HIRAM A. COATS, OF WELLSVILLE, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN CANCELlNG-STAM PS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 199,186, dated January 15, 1878; application filed October 30, 1876.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, HIRAM A. Cons, of Wellsville, in the county of Allegany and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Stamp-Oanceler, of which the following is a specification:

Figure l is a longitudinal section of my improved device. Fig. 2 is a face view of the same.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

The object of this invention is to furnish an improved instrument for use in canceling stamps in post-offices and other places, and which shall be simple in construction, convenient in use, and efiective in operation, disfiguring the stamp so that it cannot be again used.

The construction and operation of the stamp are as follows:

A is the handle of the instrument, which is made hollow, and in its cavity is placed the upper end of a rod, B. The lower end of the rod B projects beyond the lower end of the handle A, and upon said lower end is formed, or to it is attached, ahead, I), to perforate, cut, or rub off the printing or surface of the stamp, so as to disfigure it. The head b may be made of steel, or it may be faced with emery, or provided with diamond points, for disfiguring the stamps.

In the upper part of the rod B is cut a spiral groove, 11 or upon it is formed a spiral thread,

to receive the inner end of a pin, a, which passes in through the side of the handle A, so that the rod B may be rotated as it is pushed up into the handle A;

The rod B is pushed out by a spiral spring,

G, inserted above its upper end, in the cavity of the handle A.

In using the instrument, the head or cutter end of which is attached a stamp, E, for imprinting the name of the post-office and the date upon the envelope. This attachment especially adapts the instrument for post-office use.

The tube A may have the spiral thread cut in it instead of in the rod B, with the pin through the rod B to fit in the groove in tube A, as may be found most advantageous.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent The combination, substantially as specified, of the rigid post-marking stamp and the rotary spring-seated canceling-stamp, normally protruding beyond the post-marking stamp.

HIRAM A. COATS.

Witnesses: I

B. H. RoLPH, O. P. COATS. 

